Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Ok so I'm going to try and get through this without too many tears. On Sunday night 11/10/13 my 4 month old french bulldog Stella had a horrible accident and ended up breaking her elbow. After a frantic race to the vet and many x-rays later it was determined that it was too broke to fix and heal on it's own. The only option that we were given was amputation or a reconstructive surgery that was not guaranteed and could result in more surgery's. So after many hours of crying and two long nights of NO sleep, Stella had her surgery this morning 11/12/13. I have started doing some research and trying to prepare my heart and home for her arrival home. At this point I am open to ANY suggestions and advice. I have owned dogs all my life but never a tripawed so this is all new to me. Thank you in advance for all the advice that I hope will flow my way.
Sincerely,
Monica A.
Hi Monica and Stella, welcome (your future posts won't require approval and will immediately appear). We're so sorry about that terrible accident, it must be reallly scary for you both. Rest assured though that once the recovery is over your life together will be as great as ever.
If you haven't already started do check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-book library, which will answer many of your questions and put your fears to rest.
When it comes to smaller dogs like Frenchies, they do very well on three legs! Although you'll need to take activity level into consideration and do a good job moderating all of her fun to ensure her joints stay strong and she doesn't injure herself, Tripawds can do just about anything a four legged dog can do!
I hope the surgery went well and she can go home soon. While you're preparing it would help to have no-slip runners around the house (even yoga mats will do) and raise her food bowls just a little to help make feeding time easier. Be sure to ask your vet all of the questions you have and don't be afraid to call them if you have any concerns.
Good luck with the homecoming! We're here to help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Monica and Stella-
Sorry about the accident, but sometimes things justhappen. Stella is adorable. I think Jerry covered everything so just know we are here for you at anytime. You will find that the bond between a tripawd and their people is a very special one. I'm not sure why, but it seems to be just a little different than it was prior to tripawdness! The first couple weeks are the most difficult as they (and you) adapt to their new normal and just figuring out the pain meds for each individual dog seems to be tricky at times. Some need more and some hardly need any. Stella will let you know.
Sending healing thoughts your way. Take care and keep us updated-
Luanne and Spirit Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Thank you so much for your kind words and well wishes. I just received an update from Stella's Doctor and she is up walking and running around!!!!!! Only one day after surgery and they said that she is acting just like it never happened!!!!! Talk about a huge weight being lifted. Thank you so much for the advice as well. I will be buying some none slip rugs asap before her arrival home. My joy is beyond words and I will be keeping everyone updated.
YAY, Stella! You go, girl! Things may be not quite wonderful now and then, but once you get healed, nobody is going to stand in your way. Just ask me!
Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
STELLA!!! ' 'STELLA!! You are ADORALE!! And your name fits you perfectly!!
Just saw you post so I jnow Stella is recovering nicely from surgery. YAAAAAAAA STELLA!
Now, recovery can be a little rough with someups and downs....and it may be smooth saiing all the way. She's alittle highon meds right now sonyou may actualy have to work hard at keeping her from not doing cartwheels!
I know this has been anguishing for you and very traumatic. As you can see, it's not votherng Stella one bit!! Now you can relax and know that all is well, okay?
Cannot wait to see moer pictures! Keepmus updated! We are here for you if you need any typeof support whatsoever!
Hugs toyou both! Good job mom!!
Sally and Happy Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
We're celebrating right there with you both! Great news!!!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Stella and her family
Great news that you are already out of surgery and adapting to your new reality.
Hugs
Linda and Tucker 
I'm late but wanted to say welcome. I'm glad Stella is doing well and you are feeling better. I knew someone who adopted a young Tripawd. Being on three was pretty much all he knew, it was normal.
I bet the biggest problem you will have is keeping her quiet until the stitches come out!
I had a rear leg Tri-pug who did great for almost 4 years. She was pretty little so going up many stairs wasn't possible for her anymore, but she would go down anything. With Stella you might have the opposite problem- front leggers tend to have more trouble going down.
Let us know when you get her home.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hey there everyone!!!! Thank you all so much again for all the advice and well wishes. Stella is home and doing very well. I think she is having a bit of a hard time adjusting to not being able to "hold" her favorite toy the way that she use to. And so with that she is a little whiny. You can hardly keep her down though. I think if it wasn't for the pain meds she would never lay down
I'm hoping that once the swelling goes down and the stitches come out she will be right back to her old self. With that though I do have one question. I feel like I might be "smothering" her. I watch her like a hawk and anytime she has a little tumble im all over her. My husband says that I need to let her just do her own thing and find her way. But she is my baby and I just worry. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.
Yay Stella! She'll figure out how to do things, some dogs just need a little more time.
As for smothering her; I will say that there isn't a person here who didn't have that instinct, all of us have done it. But yes, your husband is right this time; the sooner you can normalize your routine and show her that this is not going to change how you treat her, the sooner she will believe it too. Here's a great video that talks about this very subject:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
GOOD JOB STELLA!! You'll figure out how to hold your toy real soon! REALLY!
It is soooooo aazinghow well dogs figure how what they need to do!
Yeah' she's gn a have some tumbles and some face plants....especially while she's still on meds Her little pupoy brainis having to re-wire itself and it takes a bit of tme. I'm pretty sure you've already ut rugs down for traction .
As far as hovering and "tough love"? Nope! I'm not your resource n that!! My dogs have traned me so well! I do what they want, when they want it and then give THEM and treat when I do a GOOD JOB,
Wonderful update! Keep 'em coming!
Hugs to all!
Saly and Hapoy Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Don't pick her up all the time!! It's hard with little pups- here's what happened to us:
Maggie was 7.5 years old when she had her amp, about 17 lbs. and she NEVER had accidents in the house pre surgery. My parents had lots of stairs at their house so after her surgery they took to carrying Mag up and down the stairs- that was OK- we didn't need her falling before her incision healed. Then they started carrying her in and out of the house to go potty. She would do her thing, then sit and look pitiful and my Mom or Dad would pick her up and carry her (she had already shown that she could go up and down the two small steps into the house, and the dog door was no problem). Then, when no one was around to carry her outside she started peeing in their house. I felt sort of bad, especially since their carpet was pretty new, but I had told them not to carry her everywhere. Then at my house she would go out, grudgingly, but wouldn't come back in on her own, she wanted to be carried! It took several times of leaving her in the backyard for 20 or 30 min. but she finally got the idea and would come in on her own. Once my parents stopped carrying her she stopped peeing in their house and was fine using the two stairs and the dog door.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thanks guys!!!! Yall have no idea how much help you all have been. My biggest problem is her whining. She was never a whiner before. Even when she didn't get what she wanted. So this is really hard for me. I don't know what is wrong and she doesn't seem to be in pain. She only does it with her toys or like when she thinks that she can't do something I don't want to smother her but I can't stand the feeling of her being helpless.
What meds is she on? Pain meds are a necessary evil during recovery but can cause lots of weird behaviors. Maggie did not tolerate tramadol at all! She would get agitated and not sleep. My other pugs have taken tram without issues- every dog is different.
Maybe you can make a game with her that teaches her how to hold on to her stuff now with one front paw. Some food rewards when she puts her paw on her toy, or takes it in her mouth. She will figure it out eventually, but you might be able to speed up the process and occupy her little puppy mind too. Of course nothing to rambunctious until the sutures come out. You could also try a pillow or heavy block to prop her toy against to sub for the missing leg.
I've also seen some chew toys that sort of stand up by themselves like This Kong Toy. Does she like kongs?
I know it is hard, but you are really early in the recovery process. Encourage her and keep her occupied and soon you will be wondering what you were worried about!
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
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